Minutes of Meeting – September 20, 2011
The Hudson Planning Board met at the Town Hall, 78 Main Street, Hudson, Massachusetts.
At 7:00 p.m., Bob D’Amelio called the meeting to order.
Present: Bob D’Amelio, Rodney Frias, Tom Collins, Dirk Underwood, David Daigneault,
Jennifer Burke, Planning Director and Teresa Vickery, Clerk.
Planner’s Report
Ms. Burke informed that Board that she has drafted a memo to the Board of Selectmen regarding a Master Plan Steering Committee. As the Planning Board oversees this process (as per our town by-laws) she wanted to inform them. In the memo Ms. Burke outlines who the Committee would be composed of and how they are to be selected / appointed.
Mr. D’Amelio asked under whose direction the Steering Committee would be. Ms. Burke explained that she and Ms. Ciccolo would be the project managers; however they are not voting members of the committee.
Mr. Daigneault asked if all committee members must be residents of Hudson. Ms. Burke said not necessarily. As there is a big economic development piece to the maser plan Ms. Burke and Ms. Ciccolo felt that the committee should be left open to members of the business community. She went on to say that if they are non-residents it would be unfair to not give them any input as they also have a stake in the outcome.
Ms. Burke noted that a member must be appointed from the Planning Board.
Tom Collins, seconded by Bob D’Amelio, moved to nominate Rodney Frias as the Planning Board’s Liaison to the Master Plan Steering Committee.
Vote: 5-0-0, Unanimous.
Indian Farm Estates
Ms. Burke informed the Board that she is in receipt of an email from Jennifer Thompson dated October 19, 2011 stating that she could not attend the meeting. The Board has been requesting a construction schedule since last November and has yet to receive one from Ms. Thompson.
Her approval expires on December 3, 2011.
7:15 – AT&T Tower-Site Plan Modification: Murphy Road
Present was: Brian Allen, KJK Wireless
Mr. D’Amelio convened the Public Hearing.
Mr. Allen informed the Board that the technology has changed and AT&T needs to modify the site in order to accommodate the changes. Equipment will be added to the base of the tower as well as adding antennas. The FCC license makes it difficult to take down the old systems as they require carriers to keep those systems for those who still have phones with that technology.
The overlay is called LTE, this consists of a larger antenna. They take the existing monopole and expand it. Currently the cylinder is an 18 inch circle all the way up. The proposal is to take the top 10 feet and increase the 18 inch diameter to 24 inches. Mr. Allen said that the concealment covers can be painted any color. All the wires will be inside the pole and will run down to the base of the tower.
Mr. D’Amelio confirmed that there is no increase in the height of the tower, no increase in the property boundaries, no increase in the size of the leased ground, no new equipment will be added that will increase the current noise level and no lighting will be installed at this facility. Mr. Allen stated that this is correct.
Mr. Allen explained that there will not be any additional electrical service at the site.
Mr. Daigneault asked about the noise that the site will be generating. Mr. Allen noted that studies have been done and the level is negligible, he likened the noise level to that of a light bulb. Mr. Daigneault then asked if there would be any increase in the radio frequency waves. Mr. Allen stated that the levels are well within the FCC required limits. He went on to say that if the Board conditioned it he would provide a statement from an RF Engineer stating that they are well within the numbers.
Mr. D’Amelio would like the MPE report added to the file as a condition of approval.
Dirk Underwood, seconded by David Daigneault, made a motion to close the public hearing for Murphy Road and to approve the plan entitled “T Site Number: MA-3314 Murphy WT” as drawn by Ariel Spectrum Inc. of Burlington, MA dated July 1, 2011 with the following conditions:
- A list of 24-hour emergency contact information must be provided to the Planning Director and the DPW at the pre-construction conference.
- Hours of operation will be Monday through Saturday 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. No work or operation of machinery may happen before 7:00 a.m. in accordance with the Town’s noise by-law or after 5:00 p.m. Per the Massachusetts General Laws, work on Sundays and holidays need to be permitted on a case by case basis by the Chief of Police.
- Prior to the commencement of authorized site activity, the Planning Board Office shall be given 48 hours written notice. If the activity at the Project site ceases for longer than 30 days, 48 hour written notice shall be given to the Planning Board Office prior to restarting the work.
- A copy of this Decision and al final approved Plans shall be kept at the Project Site.
- Members of the Planning Board shall have the right to enter the Project Site and to gather all information, measurements, photographs or other materials needed to ensure compliance with this approval. Members or agents of the Planning Board entering onto the Project Site for these purposes shall comply with all safety rules, regulations and directives of the Applicant or the Applicant’s contractors.
- A final occupancy permit shall not be issued until an as-built plan indicating lot grading and drainage system BMP’s has been confirmed to be consistent with the approved plans to the Planning Director’s reasonable satisfaction.
- If, during construction, a discrepancy is found between the approved plans and the existing regulations, the DPW and the Planning Director will be notified immediately. The DPW will make the final decision on how to proceed or if they are unable to make any decision the matter will be referred back to the Planning Board for review.
- An MBE Report will be submitted to the Planning Board prior to the issuance of a Building Permit.
Vote: 5-0-0, Unanimous
7:30 – AT&T Tower-Site Plan Modification: Pope’s Hill
Present was: Brian Allen, KJK Communications
Mr. D’Amelio convened the Public Hearing.
Mr. Allen explained to the Board that this petition is identical to the previous one for Murphy Road. He noted the only change is the address.
Mr. D’Amelio conditioned that the MPE report be supplied before the building permit is issued.
Dirk Underwood, seconded by Tom Collins, made a motion to close the public hearing for Pope’s Hill and approve the plan entitled “AT&T Site Number: MA-3319 Hudson Locke Hill” as drawn by Ariel Spectrum Inc. of Burlington, MA dated May 27, 2011 with the following conditions:
- A list of 24-hour emergency contact information must be provided to the Planning Director and the DPW at the pre-construction conference.
- Hours of operation will be Monday through Saturday 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. No work or operation of machinery may happen before 7:00 a.m. in accordance with the Town’s noise by-law or after 5:00 p.m. Per the Massachusetts General Laws, work on Sundays and holidays need to be permitted on a case by case basis by the Chief of Police.
- Prior to the commencement of authorized site activity, the Planning Board Office shall be given 48 hours written notice. If the activity at the Project site ceases for longer than 30 days, 48 hour written notice shall be given to the Planning Board Office prior to restarting the work.
- A copy of this Decision and al final approved Plans shall be kept at the Project Site.
- Members of the Planning Board shall have the right to enter the Project Site and to gather all information, measurements, photographs or other materials needed to ensure compliance with this approval. Members or agents of the Planning Board entering onto the Project Site for these purposes shall comply with all safety rules, regulations and directives of the Applicant or the Applicant’s contractors.
- A final occupancy permit shall not be issued until an as-built plan indicating lot grading and drainage system BMP’s has been confirmed to be consistent with the approved plans to the Planning Director’s reasonable satisfaction.
- If, during construction, a discrepancy is found between the approved plans and the existing regulations, the DPW and the Planning Director will be notified immediately. The DPW will make the final decision on how to proceed or if they are unable to make any decision the matter will be referred back to the Planning Board for review.
- An MBE Report will be submitted to the Planning Board prior to the issuance of a Building Permit.
Vote: 5-0-0, Unanimous
Minutes
Tom Collins, seconded by Bob D’Amelio, made a motion to accept the minutes of September 6, 2011, as corrected.
Vote: 3-0-2, Mr. Frias & Mr. Underwood not voting.
Adjournment
Bob D’Amelio, seconded by Tom Collins, moved to adjourn at 8:00 PM.
Vote: 5-0-0, Unanimous
Document List September 20, 2011
Document |
Location |
Memo to BOS regarding Master Plan dated 09/21/11 |
Planning Office |
Email from Jennifer Thompson dated 10/19/11 |
Planning Office |
Application for Site Plan Modification Pope’s Hill |
Planning Office |
Minutes of September 6, 2011 |
Planning Office |
Cc: Town Clerk
Department of Public Works
Jeff Wood, Building Commissioner
| 
